our culture - e-thaksalawa...for free distribution 135 • introduction our culture 8'1 worship...
TRANSCRIPT
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• Introduction
Our Culture
8'1
Worship elders
Our Culture 8
By studying this chapter it is possible to develop many skills
related to culture and daily life. As sons and daughters of mother
Lanka in a society with various ethnic groups, religions, customs
and practices it is necessary to coexist in unison and peace.
Through this it is possible to develop the required knowledge, atti-
tudes and skills. This will be helpful to obtain skill development
required to become a proud citizen protecting one’s national iden-
tity as Sri Lankans.
Culture is defined as the pattern of life of our society. It is also
known as the system of living of the
people. It includes how we eat,
drink and dress as well as various
relationships with others. Techniques
involved in living with the environment
are also included in it. Poems, verses,
songs and dramas are included in
culture. Accordingly culture means
a combination of things that are
developed activities, enjoyment,
customs and practices etc. It is a
complex process reflecting the
pattern of life.
At once, it is difficult to
understand what the culture is. Think
what you do, what you talk at home and with how many people do
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Customs and practices followed by them may vary. Very often
there are different attitudes and beliefs. Also, there are religious rituals,
Various languages, religions,
customs and practices and festivals are
linked to these. All these are known as
culture.
Very often we have visited places
of worship. Think about one such
instance. It is customary for a person
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Salutation
you exchange views once a day, with how many people you transact
various activities, with the family members as well as outsiders.
What advice do you get from your parents and elders? What are the
various activities you participate in? They all are linked with
culture.
Earlier we learnt much about our family and our community. We
saw that nobody lives in isolation. In order to live with mother,
father, grandmother, brothers and sisters we maintain various
relationships. The patterns of eating, drinking dressing and
conversing styles of each family may differ from each other.
Sometimes, persons of various ethnic groups may be found among
them.
to make himself clean and wear fresh clothes before visiting such
places. Thereafter the person is concerned about taking the materials
required for worshipping, with him. Before entering a shrine, shoes
and caps are removed. They will also refrain from fun and conduct
themselves in a dignified manner.
rules and regulations which should be
followed when living in society.
Constructions, fine arts, habits and
practices, skills, achievements and
knowledge are included in culture.
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Introduction to Culture
Activities
During our childhood our parents and elders taught us how to
behave ourselves in such places. After that we had to know what
was right what was wrong and follow the right things as customs
and practices. These are parts of culture.
1. What are the rituals that you should follow when you enter a
sacred place?
2. What are the important items of cultural heritage you can see
at a sacred place in your area?
3. What are the cultural festivals conducted in your area? How
do you take part in those?
Various definitions are given about culture. Culture is the
system of living of the members of a community. In order to explain
culture, various definitions have been given after taking a broad
view.
E. B. Tylor - a well known anthropologist had defined culture as
follows,
“Culture is a complex whole which includes knowledge
beliefs art morals, law, customs and other capabilities and
habits acquired by man as a members of society”
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Bestowing Culture
Activity
Culture is subjected to changes due to new creations and
discoveries and the development of culture rests on the manner in
which the life of existing society flows over to future generations.
There are several institutions to transfer culture. Family, educational
institutions (School) are foremost among these. How culture is
transferred by each of these establishments is shown in the note
given below.
Obtain a list of government holidays from January 1st to December
31st and mark the days with cultural festivals. Compile a report
explaining the importance and special reasons for these festivals.
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Special Features associated with different cultures
Sri Lankan society is culturally diversified. There are several
.srehtodnayalaM,rehgruB,milsuM,limaT,alahniSspuorgcinhte
Religions are Buddhism, Islam, Catholism and Christianity. There
.yalaMdnacibarA,hsilgnE,limaT,alahniS,segaugnallarevesera
There are various types of food and beverages, clothes and ornaments,
customs and practices, beliefs and faiths among them.
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è Training of various customs and practices
è Partaking of meals, cleaning, conversation
è
è
Living with relatives, addressing,
Explaining what is good or bad
è Teaching religion and language
è Sharpening of talents and
capabilities è Training to work in timeè Teachingè Training to appreciate Aestheticsè Getting accustomed tosocietyè Imparting
knowledge to get accustomed local and international cultureè socialization
èExplaining what is
good or bad
èMaking people
disciplined
èMaking people
Develop human
values and qualities
èRespect fo
r human
values
èTrain patterns of
beliefs and faiths
èMake people
follow customs
Religion School
family
When living in a society, culture is acquired through various
activities related to the environment. Food taking patterns,
conversation styles and behavioural patterns make the people
get accustomed to the culture.
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Activities
Sinhala and Hindu New Year is a festival connected to two ethnic
groups. Compile a booklet containing information with regard to it.
8'10
Hindu festival
8'9
Christian festival
8'8
Islamic festival
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Our culture has been enriched with skills such as art, sculpture
farming Gemming
Trading
Fishery
Rubber Cultivation
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Chena Cultivation
The livelihood of each of these ethnic groups is different. Farming,
fishing, commercial planting, industries and various services are
among these. There are various beliefs, customs, practices and faiths
linked to these livelihoods. The “new rice festival” is one such famous
custom linked to Sri Lankan society. This festival is connected to
the cultivation of paddy, and is held after harvesting. Similarly,
various language styles, folk tales and customs linked to each of
these occupations have enriched the culture.
shrines and constructions. Today they remain as our cultural
heritages.
and carvings. This is evident from the old temples, Dagabas, religious
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Galvihara at Polonnaruwa Nataraja
Sigiriya Ruwanveli Seya
8'12 A TankMoon Stone
Cultural heritage of Sri Lanka
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Features common to all cultures
Activities
Based on each ethnic group, religion, social class, caste and
creed culture also differs. Anyhow you cannot say that one
culture is higher or lower than the other. Everybody should respect
the other cultures in the same way he respects his own culture.
Some common features are visible in all cultures. Use of
language, religion, beliefs and faiths, art and crafts, clothing and
ornaments, jobs, various life styles are among them. There are
1. Explore information regarding the cultural heritage (in your area)
bestowed by ancestors which reflect community life of the past.
It is very important for the people who belong to different cultures to
live unitedly and peacefully. They must respect each other. They must
contribute to and attend to economic, political and social activities
together. It will assist one to understand a culture positively. All cultures
without exception serve to train one in good customs and practices
special letters, dialect, rules of writing, figurative elements peculiar
to each language. Similarity can also be seen in the various forms of
worship, places of worship, customs, rituals followed by priests.
when you take all ethnic groups and religions some features are
common to all. All ethnic groups of all cultures, without any
difference participate in economic activities. This is evident when
you consider various people who have made cultivation, animal
husbandry, fishery, industry and various handicrafts as their
occupation.
and human virtues too needed for the good conduct of society. Adjustment
of culture to suit the changing environmental conditions is a common
feature seen in every culture. Women employment, taking medicine to
heal diseases by going beyond myths and getting involved in educational
and economic activities are some important aspects of adjustments.
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National Anthem
Activity
If people living in this country work unitedly and jointly as a
nation it will help in the development of the country.
The symbols depicting the national identity of Sri Lanka are the
National Anthem, the National Flag, and the National Emblem.
Make a list, of the leaders who pioneered the movement to gain
freedom for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Matha
Apa Sri Lanka, Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha
Sundara siri barinee, Surandi athi soba mana Lanka
Dhanya dhanaya neka mal palaturu piri jaya bhoomiya ramya
Apa hata sapa siri setha sadana jeewanaye matha
Piliganu mana apa bhakthi pooja Namo Namo Matha
Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha
Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha
Oba we apa vidya
Obamaya apa sathya
Oba we apa shakthi
Apa hada thula bhakthi
Oba apa aloke
Apa ge anuprane
Oba apa jeevana we
Apa mukthiya oba we
Nava jeewana demine, nithina apa pubudukaran matha
Gnana veerya vadawamina ragena yanu mana jaya bhoomi kara
Eka mavakage daru kala bavina
Yamu yamu vee nopama
Prema vada sama bheda durarada
Namo, Namo Matha
Apa Sri Lanka, Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha
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Activities
The National Flag
The National Anthem of Sri Lanka was composed by Ananda
Samarakoon. Our National Anthem was sung for the first time on
Feb. 04th 1948 at the first independence day celebrations.
Through the National Anthem it is expected to inculcate
respect, devotion and pride for the motherland and to promote
national unity.
The National Anthem is played at State functions, national
festivals, school ceremonies, sportsmeets and seminars with Sri
Lankan representatives.
When the National Anthem is played, you should stand at
attention and show your respect for it.
1. Make out the words in the National Anthem, which refer to fertility
and environmental features in Sri Lanka.
2. Give extracts of the National Anthem related to National Unity.
The National flag as well as the National Anthem are symbols
depicting National Identity. The National Flag of Sri Lanka used
now, was designed on the recommendation of a committee
appointed by Hon. D. S. Senanayaka (6th of March in 1948) the first
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
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♦ State functions
♦ National festivals
♦ Functions of a school or institution
♦ Other important festivals
Rituals to be adapted when hoisting the National f lag
Occasions on which the National f lag is hoisted
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Hoisting the National flag
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A national festival
The National f lag should not be
kept on the ground at any time.
Before hoisting it should be fixed
to the cord folded and kept at a
height. When the National f lag is
exhibited, it should be given the
highest recognition. It should be
hoisted in a place where it is
clearly seen by all. If it is hoisted at
a height it should be illuminated
with electric lights. When hoisting
it, the two horizontal borders
should be kept parallel to the post. When hoisted with Divisional
f lags, school f lags etc. it
should be hoisted at the
highest place at the centre
between all the other f lags.
When the national flag is
hoisted with religious f lags it
should be hoisted at the same
elevation.
When it is hoisted in the
middle of a street, the symbol,
lion should be kept upright
and the f lag should be hung
vertically.
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Half mast of the National Flag
Hoisting and lowering of the National f lag should be done
slowly and respectfully. When the National f lag is hoisted the
members of the armed forces in uniform should pay due respect,
ordinary people should remove their headgear. Everyone should
stand at attention facing the f lag, paying respect.
When the national f lag is hoisted at a ceremony, playing of
Magul Bera and blowing of Conch shell could be utilized, whenever
possible.
Immediately after the hoisting of the National f lag the National
Anthem should be played or sung. When carrying the National flag
in processions its staff should be raised and kept upright. It should
not be lowered to respect anybody. If it is taken in a pocession
with other f lags it should be taken on the right hand side of
the procession. You may have seen instances where the national
flag is hoisted on platforms where speakers address the audience. In
such instances it should be hoisted on a f lag post f ixed on the right
hand side of the speaker facing the audience. If not, it should be
hoisted leaning against the wall behind the speaker.
The occasions where national f lag is f lown half mast is decided
by the State. When the national f lag is flown half-mast the f lag
should be raised for a moment and then it should be lowered to the
point of half-mast. (It should be lowered up to one third from the top
of the f lag post)
The National f lag should not be used as a dress or a bedsheet.
Hence it should not be used as a covering for the ceiling. It also
should not be used as a wrapper. It should not be used in commercial
advertisements.
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Activity
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The symbols on the National f lag should
not be knitted on pillow cases, mattresses or
handkerchief or similar items. It should not be
used as seat - covers.
The National f lag should not be fixed,
exhibited or stored allowing it to be torn or
damaged. Discoloured or damaged national
f lags should not be exhibited.
No part of the national flag should be used
as a dress or sports wear. A symbol of the
national f lag can be stitched on to the uniform
of the Fire Brigade.
Prepare a report on what the symbols and colours of the national
f lag represent. Get the support of your teacher
National f lag half mast.
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The State Emblem has the following symbols.
Wheel of Dhamma
Lion
Full water pitcher
The Sun and the Moon
Pods of grain
Lotus petals
State Emblem
8'18 State Emblem
The symbol depicting state authority and property is called
the State emblem.
The present state emblem came into became use after Sri Lanka
a Republic in 1972.
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Botanical Name - Mesua Nagassarum
Sinhala - Na
Hindu - Nagakeshare
Tamil - Naka
English - Iron wood tree
Activities
National Tree
fig. 8'19
Na tree (Iron wood)
01. Identify the symbols on the state emblem by observing a coin
or a picture which includes the state emblem.
02. Get to know from your teacher what are depicted by the sym-
bols on the State Emblem.
The National Tree of Sri Lanka is the Na Tree (Iron wood). The
Na Tree is a tree with an elegance. The Wood is hard and heavy and
lasts long. Normally the wood of this tree is not used for the
construction of buildings. These trees are particularly grown in
places of worship and can be considered a long lasting tree. The Na
Tree is a tree which has a straight trunk and slow growth. The
Tender Na leaves are red in colour. Na-petals are white in
colour and consist of a lot of pollen. During night the f lowers
blossom and spread a sweet fragrance.
Bark, roots, f lowers, pollen
and seeds of this tree have a
herbal value.
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In Sinhala - Manel, Nilupul
Hindu - Neelothpala
Tamil - Neelothpala
English - Blue water Lily
National Flower
The National Sport of Sri Lanka
fig. 8'20
Nil Manel flower
(Blue Water Lily)
fig. 8'21
Volley ball
The Nil Mahanel (Blue Water Lily) is the National flower of
Sri Lanka. The Botanical name of the flower is Nympia Stelata.
It is an aquatic plant which has
round leaves floating on water.
The stems of the leaves are long.
Nilmanel flowers blossoming at
the end of the long stems can be
visible on the surface of water. It
flowers throughout the year.
Seeds are edible and have a herbal
value.
Volley-ball is the National game of Sri Lanka. It is a team event.
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National bird of Sri Lanka is the Wild Fowl.
National Bird
Virtues of a Good Citizen
fig. 8'22
Wild fowl
The survival of a virtuous society rests on the goodness of its
members. If it has members of good conduct, entire society will be
transformed into a virtuous society. In society which we live in,
there is a code of conduct accepted by society. There are some
identified virtues, customs and practices related to it. The good
qualities accepted by the entire society are called Virtuous Deeds.
There are many good qualities we should follow as members
of society. If are followed it will help build good social relationship
and create a good society. Accordingly, those qualities that contribute
to the existence of a meaningful society that enhances individual
and social life and promotes virtues and cultural values, are called
virtues.
Inculcating those human qualities in each and every person will
benefits the life of individual as well as the society.
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Virtues to be developed in an individual
Activity
Present your ideas on “Good deeds build up a good character”
Discipline
Simple living pattern
Honesty
Perseverance
Patience
Condescension
Generosity
Flexibility
Justice
Environmental friendliness
Friendliness
Impartiality
Kindness
Benevolence
Respecting customs and traditions
Sharing and caring
Peace
Unity
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SYNOPSIS
Community groups which belong to various ethnic groups speak various languages, follow various
with various qualities and life styles, live in a society.
All that is included in the life style of a community
group could be termed as culture. Several def initions
have been given in exploring culture. For the transfer
of culture, the family, the school and various religious
institutions have been instrumental. There are occasions
various activities, festivals, which display the culture.
Cultural diversities are seen inside a country as well as
among other countries in the world.
National Anthem, National Flag, State Emblem
are symbols depicting national identity, national unity,
harmony. When people are living unitedly in a country
with various communities it will benefit the society as
well as the country.
Living in society as a good citizen is helpful
to build up a just and peaceful society.
religions,